Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities

Health disparities are on the national agenda. The health disparities certificate program is designed to respond to the need for current and future leaders in public health, social services, medicine, and the social sciences (public health, social work, psychology, economics, and anthropology) to be knowledgeable of the issues and strategies needed to eliminate health disparities. The goal of this graduate program is to train current students and professionals in the field to be leaders in addressing and working to eliminate health disparities. As stated by the Institute of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, central to addressing health disparities is research and practice with community partners, with the goal of building community capacity and sustainability.

This 12-credit graduate certificate, housed in the School of Public Health in partnership with the School of Education, the School of Social Welfare, and the Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, aims to improve students' cultural competence and leadership skills as they gain knowledge of the causes of health disparities, the relevant issues, and potential strategies for eliminating these disparities.

The certificate program will be available to all currently matriculated University at Albany graduate students (master's or PhD or DrPH students). Current students must make a separate application for admission. Graduate students who are currently enrolled in other accredited colleges or universities or non-matriculated individuals who are practitioners in health care, counseling, social work, and public health may also apply to the certificate program, provided they have a bachelor's or r.n. degree and the required pre-requisite coursework. In order to receive the health disparities certificate, students must take four 3-credit graduate courses, for a total of 12 credits, in at least two different schools. All courses are within the schools of public health, education, and social welfare.